Troy Turkey Trot officals will play it safe

Jeff Couch - The Record, 2012 The start of the 2013 5K race will feature a different look this season. The mass stampede will be replaced by runners placed in corrals to make the event more organized and safe.

TROY >> New security measures have been put in place to protect runners, spectators and race officials for the 66th running of the Troy Turkey Trot.

The event, which starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, is expected to draw close to 9,000 participants and thousands of more spectators from 36 states to the Collar City. Race organizers and City of Troy Police officials have come up with new safety measures, because of what happened at the Boston Marathon, for runners and spectators. Officials say the new measures will not interfere with the annual revelry and commraderie that takes place each Thanksiving morning in the streets of Troy.

“We’re asking runners not to come with backpacks,” race orgarnizer George Regan said. “We’re asking them to come with clear plastic bags and clear packs for their race equipment. If they can’t do that, we will have bag inspections.”

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Troy police also ask that people who traditionally dress up for the annual costume contest not wear face masks.

“They’re also asking for people not to wear bulky costumes,” said Regan, who also noted despite the ban of face masks, the fan-favorite local mascot race will again take place. The mascots will also be inspected for the race.

Race entries through last week had a 12-percent increase. That slowed over this past weekend. Regan said they are now looking at a 2- to 3-percent increase in runners.

“I think that has to do with the recent weather forecast,” Regan said. “They’re now talking about a really cold morning.”

Last week the forecast called for teams in the mid-to-high 30s. That changed dramatically in the past few days. The recent forecast calls for temps in the lows 20s and possibility of snow showers.

The Troy atrium will again be open for runners and spectators to keep warm. However, to get a good look at the start and finish for the 5K, spectators will have to exit from the south doors of the Atrium.

Fourth Avenue, between Fulton and Broadway, will be closed to spectators during the 5K race, which expects to draw 5,000-6,000 runners. Only runners, race officials and security will be allowed on Fourth Ave. for the 5K race.

“I know people want to see their family members who are running in the race,” Regan said. “For the 10K and the grade-school race, people will be allowed on Fourth Ave because they’re arent’s as many specators. We want parents to be with their children. But the 5K race has become so big, we have to worry about everyone’s safety.”

This year 5K race runners will be corraled at the start — meaning no more mass stampede when the starter fires his pistol. The corrals will be color coded and runners will be grouped by estimated time of finish. Runners are literally backed up one to two blocks for the start of the race. The corrals will be used to ease congestion.

“This is for the safety of the runners,” Regan said. “When they start, the chute will be 28 feet wide and the finish chute will be 20 feet. “We’re trying to keep everything tight. This race is getting close to being maxed out with 5,000 to 6,000 runners. We think this is our best chance to keep everything organized.”

All runners will be given an electronic chip, which does not activate until he or she crosses the starting mat. The chip also records the runner’s time at the finishing chute.”

“It’s based on a net-time,” Regan said. “Those who are not in the front corrals are not penalized at all.”

Online registration for the event closes at midnight on Monday. There is no race-day registration. A last-chance registration will be held Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Troy Atrium. Last-chance registration fee for the 5K and 10 K is 35; $15 for the grade-school mile and $10 for the Turkey Walk.

Runners may pick up their packs for the race from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday; and starting at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, at the Troy Atrium.

For past history of the Troy Turkey Trot and a course map go to http://www.troyturkeytrot.com/

About the Author

Kevin Moran is The Record's sports editor. Previously he covered high school sports and Siena College basketball for The Record. Reach the author at kmoran@digitalfirstmedia.com
or follow Kevin on Twitter: @KMoran_Record.